Data Protection Week 2026 launched to drive compliance and awareness

By Buertey Francis BORYOR

The Data Protection Commission (DPC), in partnership with the Ghana Association of Privacy Professionals (GAPP), has officially launched Data Protection Week 2026, marking the start of a month-long national programme aimed at strengthening privacy awareness, driving compliance, and building trust in Ghana’s digital economy.

The launch took place on January 26, 2026, in Accra and signals a coordinated national effort to promote responsible data use as digital services expand across the country.

Held under the theme “Your Data, Your Identity: Building Trust in Ghana’s Digital Future,” Data Protection Week 2026 highlights the growing link between personal data and individual identity in an era of rapid digitalisation.

Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission, Dr. Arnold Kavaarpuo, said data protection is fundamentally about safeguarding the dignity, autonomy and economic agency of citizens. He noted that trust is the foundation of a sustainable digital future and stressed that compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) is essential for all organisations that handle personal data.

He said that Data Protection Week 2026 has been deliberately expanded into a month-long programme to deepen engagement beyond awareness and to encourage responsible behaviour across the entire data ecosystem.

“The theme is  relevant as the country continues to scale digital systems such as mobile money, e-government platforms, digital health services and online commerce, all of which rely heavily on the collection and processing of personal data. It reflects the reality that personal data now underpins access to credit, healthcare, employment, public services and participation in the digital economy,” he added.

The initiative is being driven through a collaborative partnership between the DPC, as the national regulator, and GAPP, the professional body representing privacy and data protection practitioners. The collaboration is intended to combine regulation with professional capacity building, ensuring that organisations are supported to comply with the law while embedding privacy into their operational culture.

President of GAPP, Mr. Emmanuel K. Gadasu, underscored the central role of data protection professionals in achieving this goal. He said Data Protection Officers are critical to translating legal requirements into day-to-day practice and guiding organisations towards ethical data stewardship. According to him, building trust goes beyond meeting legal obligations and requires institutions to integrate privacy into their systems, processes and decision-making.

As part of the month-long activities, the DPC and GAPP will roll out a national media campaign featuring infographics as well as radio and television discussions to simplify data protection concepts and educate citizens on their rights.

Targeted sectoral compliance workshops will also be held for key sectors such as financial technology, health, education and small and medium-sized enterprises. These sessions are designed to provide practical guidance on implementing the requirements of Act 843 and addressing sector-specific data protection risks.

In addition, master classes will be organised to build the capacity of industry professionals, while outreach activities, including school visits and educational talks, will be undertaken to raise awareness among students and academic communities.

The month-long programme will culminate in a national conference and awards night to recognise institutions that have demonstrated commitment and leadership in data protection compliance.

As part of the launch, the DPC and GAPP issued a call to action to key stakeholders. The media was urged to play an active role in educating the public, reporting responsibly on data protection issues and holding institutions accountable.

Public and private organisations were called upon to review their data processing activities, ensure registration with the Data Protection Commission, appoint competent Data Protection Officers and implement transparent privacy policies. The judiciary and legal community were also encouraged to deepen their understanding of data protection laws to support effective adjudication and the protection of citizens’ digital rights.

Individual citizens were urged to take personal data protection seriously by understanding their rights to access, correction and deletion of personal data, and by being vigilant about the consents they give.

The organisers emphasised that building a trusted digital future is a shared responsibility and called on all stakeholders to commit to protecting personal data as an extension of individual identity.

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